About Chef Francis

About : Chef Francis

Originally from France, Chef Francis Pascal came to the U.S. in 1989 working as a sous chef under executive chef Nunzio Patruno at a Philadelphia restaurant named Monte Carlo Living Room. After two years he decided to open his own restaurant in Bala Cynwyd, named Tartufo. The restaurant was a success, however, it was not exactly what Francis had envisioned. So after three years, Francis moved on from Tartufo and worked as both a sous chef and head chef at variety of mainline restaurants. It wasn’t until 1999 when an opportunity to purchase a quaint little restaurant space in rural Chester County, all but landed in his lap. The area reminded him of the French countryside, a perfect setting for both his family and his restaurant.

With culinary training from France and Italy, as well as here in the U.S., Chef Francis went on to open The Birchrunville Store Café. Over the last 18 years, the restaurant has blossomed into a well-known French-fusion BYOB. Francis and his wife Nui, who is the owner of Phoenixville’s Thai L’elephant, have gone on to renovate the building adjacent to the Café into a pastry shop that offers delicious food and cozy spot to enjoy Birchrunville’s beauty.

French training, and work in France and Italy, he was approached by a restaurant owner in Monte Carlo ( French Riviera), who has a sister restaurant called Monte Carlo Living Room in Philadelphia. He then came over to the U.S. in 1989 to work at that restaurant as a sous chef with executive chef Nunzio Patruno. Monte Carlo Living Room opened a second restaurant next door on Second and South Street in Philadelphia called Primavera. He was the chef there for 3 years and then decided to open his own restaurant in Bala Cynwood, Philadelphia called Tartufo... for 3 years. Next moved on to work with Jean Francois Taquet at Taquet restaurant as a sous chef...( 2 years ) and later moved to Haverford, at Quisset Restaurant which changed it's name to Provence. Then in 1999 he decided to open Birchrunville Cafe and later in 2017 opened ButterScotch Pastry Shop along with his wife Nui who also owns Thai L'elephant restaurant.